In my experience in making and conditioning varius types of HHO or Hydrogen Electrodes/ Cells... it is unavoidable to be always in contact with the waste water or dirty water that normally occurs during the initial conditioning phase.
This however rarely occurs for clean cells... a clean cell is normally the one with lesser carbon content... or the ones that are sanded well and thoroughly.
At any rate, having direct contact with these used electrolysed water is still dangerous by any means. Although HHO emits clean H2 and O2 gases.. this doesnt mean it does not carry trace gases of Chromium Hexavalent and this is carcinogenic when inhaled. It is therefore not adviseable to be sniffing the gases emitted by your HHO electrolysers nor even touching the used water can also cause skin problems.
I have been unaware of this danger for more than a year already and has experienced skin rashes sometimes. It is therefore recomended to leave the replacement of water from your HHO to the qulified technicians, should you do it yourself... it is therefore necessary to take extreme caution and avoidance to contamination must be well observed.
Chromium Hexavalent is a byproduct from Stainless which normally is extracted from welding or electrolysis. It is treated as a waste product. But there are industrial uses for it, it is used for coating metal such as fasteners, bolts, nuts through mechanical plating.
Mechanical Plating Systems
Mechanical plating is technically equal or superior in all respects to hot dip galvanizing and electroplating.
Mechanical plating is a process where zinc, tin or other ductile metals is physically applied to metal substrates, usually steel. With thickness typically between 5 – 15 µm, Mechanical plating provides a robust surface resistant to corrosion. It utilizes impact energy to cold weld fine metal particles to the substrate. The system typically uses an open-ended barrel with glass beads as the impact medium. It provides a smooth, semi-bright finish with superior corrosion protection and does not introduce hydrogen embrittlement, making it ideal for high strength fasteners.
Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds are a group of chemical substances that contain the metallic element chromium in its positive-6 valence (hexavalent) state. Occupational exposures to Cr(VI) occur during the production of stainless steel, chromate chemicals, and chromate pigments. Cr(VI) exposures also occur during other work activities such as stainless steel welding, thermal cutting, chrome plating, painting, and coating processes.
NIOSH considers all Cr(VI) compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens. An increased risk of lung cancer has been demonstrated in workers exposed to Cr(VI) compounds. Other adverse health effects associated with Cr(VI) exposure include dermal irritation, skin ulceration, allergic contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, nasal irritation and ulceration, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed, respiratory irritation, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth.
Cr(VI) compounds vary in solubility from those that are readily soluble to those which are practically insoluble in water. In 1975 NIOSH documented the carcinogenic effects of water-insoluble Cr(VI) compounds. The NIOSH 1988 testimony to OSHA on the air contaminants standard recommended that all Cr(VI) compounds, regardless of their degree of solubility in water, be considered occupational carcinogens. NIOSH is currently reviewing and evaluating the available information on Cr(VI) compounds including the toxicology, health effects, industrial hygiene, and analytical chemistry literature in order to update its 1975 criteria document on Cr(VI).
Health Effects of Hexavalent Chromium
Hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent
chromium compounds are man-made and widely used in many different industries.
Some major industrial sources of hexavalent chromium are:
• chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics
• chromates added as anti-corrosive agents to paints, primers and other surface coatings
• chrome plating by depositing chromium metal onto an item’s surface using a solution of chromic acid
• particles released during smelting of ferrochromium ore
• fume from welding stainless steel or nonferrous chromium alloys
• impurity present in portland cement.
How hexavalent chromium can harm employees
Workplace exposure to hexavalent chromium may cause the following health effects:
• lung cancer in workers who breathe airborne hexavalent chromium
• irritation or damage to the nose, throat, and lung (respiratory tract) if hexavalent chromium is breathed at high levels
• irritation or damage to the eyes and skin if hexavalent chromium contacts these organs in high concentrations.
How hexavalent chromium affects the nose, throat and lungs
Breathing in high levels of hexavalent chromium can cause irritation to the nose and throat. Symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, itching and a burning sensation. Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause sores to develop in the nose and result in nosebleeds. If the damage is severe, the nasal septum (wall separating the nasal passages) develops a hole in it (perforation). Breathing small amounts of hexavalent chromium even for long periods does not cause respiratory tract irritation in most people. Some employees become allergic to hexavalent chromium so that inhaling chromate compounds can cause asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath.
How hexavalent chromium affects the skin
Some employees can also develop an allergic skin reaction, called allergic contact dermatitis. This occurs from handling liquids or solids containing hexavalent chromium. Once an employee becomes allergic, brief skin contact causes swelling and a red, itchy rash that becomes crusty and thickened with prolonged exposure. Allergic contact dermatitis is long lasting and more severe with repeated skin contact. Direct skin contact with hexavalent chromium can cause a non-allergic skin irritation. Contact with non-intact skin can also lead to chrome ulcers. These are small crusted skin sores with a rounded border. They heal slowly and leave scars.
How employees can be exposed to hexavalent chromium
Employees can inhale airborne hexavalent chromium as a dust, fume or mist while:
• producing chromate pigments and powders; chromic acid; chromium catalysts, dyes, and coatings
• working near chrome electroplating
• welding and hotworking stainless steel, high chrome alloys and chrome-coated metal
• applying and removing chromate-containing paints and other surface coatings.
Skin exposure can occur during direct handling of hexavalent chromium-containing solutions, coatings, and cements.
Steps OSHA has taken to protect employees from health hazards caused by hexavalent chromium
The new OSHA workplace standard requires employers to:
• limit eight-hour time-weighted average hexavalent chromium exposure in the workplace to 5 micrograms or less per cubic meter of air.
• perform periodic monitoring at least every 6 months if initial monitoring shows employee exposure at or above the action level (2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average).
• provide appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment when there is likely to be a hazard present from skin or eye contact.
• implement good personal hygiene and housekeeping practices to prevent hexavalent chromium exposure.
• prohibit employee rotation as a method to achieve compliance with the exposure limit (PEL).
• provide respiratory protection as specified in the standard.
• make available medical examinations to employees within 30 days of initial assignment, annually, to those exposed in an emergency situation, to those who experience signs or symptoms of adverse health effects associated with hexavalent chromium exposure, to those who are or may be exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year, and at termination of employment.
For more complete information:
U.S. Department of Labor
www.osha.gov
(800) 321-OSHA
DSG 7/2006
